Tuesday, June 3, 2014

Josalynn Smith

By Deontez Wimbley and Candace Chambers

Hailing from St. Louis, Missouri, Josalynn Smith is in pursuit to establish herself as a true scholar activist. She is an English major and French and Anthropology double minor at Washington University in St. Louis. This rising junior is also a Mellon Mays Undergraduate Research Fellow interested in studying black women in social media.

“Adaptability and fluidity of essence makes you whole and makes you more human.”

Not only is Josalynn climbing her way up the Ivory Tower and rubbing elbows with Ph.D’s, she is also very committed to being visible to all people. One way in which she stays visible is by being a documentarian. The purpose and impact of her documentaries are very important to her; she has worked on documentaries about human trafficking, Jim Crow, and the industrialized prison complex.

Outside of conducting research and filming documentaries, Josalynn enjoys playing the guitar, photography, and watching Netflix. She draws inspiration from Melissa Harris Perry and other profound philosophical minds. Her warm presence and intelligent, critical conversations prove Josalynn as a soaring scholar, ready to take on any challenge that comes her way.

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About this blog

This blog serves as a space for reports and conversations related to the African American Literatures and Cultures Institute, a program that responds to the pressing need for diversifying all areas of US higher education — from graduate study to academic research through administrative leadership.